Keep It Simple: Bulletin Boards part 2 and a freebie!

In an effort to Keep It Simple, I decided to change my main bulletin board only three times this year. You can see my first two bulletin boards here.

Now that spring has arrived I needed to take down my fraction snowmen.

I can't say that I am sad to see them go. I am looking forward to warmer weather and lots of sunshine.

Last year we had 11 snow days! (That is not a typo) and when spring approached I was just starting my fraction unit. So I used these fraction flowers to have the students demonstrate their understanding of adding and subtracting fractions.

On each of the five petals the students had to give two equivalent fractions, draw a picture of their fraction, create an additions problem and a subtraction problem that equaled their fraction. If you are interested in a free copy of this activity, you can get it here.

This year I finished my fraction unit just as spring arrived. Knowing that my previous flower activity would not be a challenge for my students, I gave it an update.

This time the students need to create an equivalent fraction, an addition problem, a subtraction problem, a multiplication problem and a division problem. We pretty much reviewed our entire unit on this one flower!

I love the division problem that this student created. It difficult to see since they colored the section in grey but it says 5 ÷ 10. I love that they remembered that a whole number divided by a larger whole number can be converted to a fraction to solved it. Most students divided a fraction by a fraction to create their problem. 

I used these flowers as a center activity just before our test on dividing fractions. Even though my students are in 5th grade they still love to color. They also love having their work displayed. 

This was a great way to check for student understanding. A few students needed to go back and make corrections but overall they did really well. 

Would you like a copy of my updated fraction flower? Click the image below.

How do you keep it simple in the classroom? I would love to hear your time saving tips in the comment section below.

New Product and a Giveaway!

I make so many games and activities for the students in my classroom but I always struggle with getting them TpT ready. Well, I finally finished my KABOOM! Dividing Fractions Game.

My students cannot get enough of KABOOM!. They seriously ask to play it every time we do centers. It has definitely motivated me to get moving and make some more games.

My favorite way to display the games is with these wonderful containers. You can wrap them in colorful duct tape like I did or just use them as is.

The KABOOM! slips fit perfectly inside.

It makes it easy for the students to reach in and grab their next slip.

You can also store your slips in these containers.

I have so many KABOOM! games that I prefer to store them flat in a storage container. I put the slips in a zipper bag and paper clip the answer key to it. Then I lie it flat in the storage bin. That way I don't have tons of cans everywhere. I have a few empty ones on a shelf that I fill with the choosen KABOOM! game of the day.

Would you like to win my KABOOM! Dividing Fractions Game?  Enter below. Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Product for Pay Day!

It's once again time for Focus on Fifth's Products for Pay Day Linky!

This is my best selling product on TpT and surprisingly it was one of my first that I posted. I have since given it a much needed make-over. So if you already own it, you can download the updated version of free.

This product has come a long way. Long before I ever heard of Teachers Pay Teachers I had several sets of index cards with improper fractions and mixed numbers hand-written on them. Even then it was a favorite game of my 5th graders. Once I discovered TpT and the wonders of PowerPoint I knew I needed to give this game a make-over.

This is what it first looked like.....

 
And my new updated version.......

 

Boy did it need a make over.

 Now that my children are old enough to play, it's a great way for them to review converting mixed numbers and improper fractions.

 Just like regular Go Fish, the goal of this game is to make the most pairs. The catch is that each improper fraction matches the equivalent mixed number.

You can also use it to play memory. Flip all the cards over and take turns trying to find a match. To make it easier, you can divide the game board into two sections. Put the mixed numbers on one side and the improper fractions on the other. Students would then pick one card from each section. This will make it easier to get a match.

 Does this sound like a game your students would like? It is currently on sale at my TpT store for 50% off until Friday.

What type of games do you use to teach fractions? I would love for you to tell about it in the comments below.

Don't forget to head over to Focused on Fifth and see the other Pay Day Products that are being promoted.

Keep It Simple: Bulletin Boards

Head on over to Focused on Fifth and see how I "Keep It Simple" with my bulletin boards.

Order of Operations Hopscotch!

Looking for a way to get your students moving during math class? Check out my post on Focused on Fifth and see how I teach order of operations.

Unwrapping the Holidays: Teacher's Little Helper

One of my first holiday products that I created is this cute little elf. I use it every year with my students. It's a great way to review order of operations. 

 I also created a page so your students can show their work.

If you are interested in purchasing this product (It's only $1) you can click any of the pictures above or here and it will bring you to the product.

Now go check out all the other holiday products these other bloggers are sharing.

An InLinkz Link-up

Unwrapping the Holidays - Holiday Themed Math

The holidays are a wonderfully crazy time of year. It's also the time of year when we have finally hit our stride in the classroom. The student know the expectations and are up for a challenge. It is not a time of year when we want to slow down. If anything we need to pick up the pace. At the same time. we want to enjoy this special time of year. 

One of my favorite activities to do with my students in math class is the Holiday Math Tree. It's a simple Christmas tree with eight ornaments on it. You can use it for almost any math topic you teach in December. 

This year I will use it to assess my students understanding of adding and subtracting decimals. The students will pick a decimal from the hat and write it in the star. The example below shows 1.2. The students are then required to fill in the ornaments by creating 4 addition and 4 subtraction problems that equal the amount in their star. The students put their name on the trunk of the tree. 

You could also use it to show off their knowledge of fractions. Have the students put a fraction in the star and then have them fill the ornaments with equivalent fractions or addition/subtraction problems that equal the fraction in the star.

 Then have the students color and cut out their trees. It makes for a festive display.

Would you like a copy of my Holiday Math Tree? You can get it here for free!

If you download it, I would love if you would leave a comment below and let me know how you plan to use the Holiday Math Tree in your classroom.

Now check out all the other amazing ideas from the bloggers below.

An InLinkz Link-up

Holiday Product for Payday!

It's that time again. Each month, those of us at Focused on Fifth share a product just in time for payday. This month it is also just in time for the TpT sale. On Monday and Tuesday my entire store will be on sale for 20% off. Use the code SMILE at check out and get an additional 10% off.

This month I am featuring my Holiday Numerical Expressions Task Cards. I just gave this product of little facelift. I am so happy with how it came out.

Student match the words with the corresponding numerical expression. An answer key is provided so students can self correct. There is also a record sheet to use in a center.

The cards can also be used as a memory game if you choose.

The set comes in black and white for easy printing.

Interested in purchasing this activity? You can find it here.

What's on your wish list? What have you been waiting to purchase? Can't decide, hop on over to Focused on Fifth to see what the other bloggers are highlighting this month. I am sure you will find some great must-haves.